Pedal and toe-cap therefor.



A, F. 65C. H. NORRIS.

PBDALVAND TOE GAP THERBFOB.. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1s, 1909.

969,651. Patented sept.6,191o.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

wmf/MM W 35% uw 1HE Nomus Pxrzns ca., wAsHmafoN. n, c.

A. F. & C. H. NORRIS. PEDAL AND TOE GAP THBREFOR. APPLICATION FILEDAUG.13, 1909.

969,65 1. Patented sept. 6, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

TH: NoRRls PsrERs cu., wAsmNmoN, D, c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT F. NORRIS AND CLIFTON H. NORRIS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

PEDAL AND TOE-CAP THEREFOR.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, ALBERT F. No1-:Ris and CLIFTON H. Norris, citizensof the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk andState of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Pedals and Toe-Caps lhereforg and we do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in pedals for musicalinstruments, and particularly to pedals arranged to receive a removablecap.

The object in view is the arrangement of a pedal formed with an aperturetherein for receiving means for clamping a cap to the pedal.

Another object of the invention is the arrangement of a pedal formedwith a tapered aperture passing. therethrough and a cap provided with abifurcated extension fitting into said aperture and formed fromresilient or springy material, so as to yieldingly engage the sides ofthe aperture for normally preventing the removal of the cap.

A further object of the invention is the arrangement of a pedal and aremovable toe cap therefor, and a lug projecting from the pedal into anotch in the toe cap for preventing rotation thereof.

Another object of the invention is the arrangement of a pedal having anaperture therein with annular grooves and a toe cap having an extensionformed with annular ridges adapted to spring into the annular grooves insaid pedal for normally preventing the removal of the toe cap.

lith these and other objects in view the invention comprises certainnovel constructions, combinations and arrangement of parts as will behereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a pedal andtoe cap embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectionthrough Fig. 1, approximately on line 2-2. Fig. 3 is a top plan view ofthe outer end of the pedal with the toe cap removed. Fig. 11 is aninverted perspective view of the cap removed. Fig. 5 is a sectionthrough a toe cap removed, showing the arrangement of the slot formedtherein. Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed August 13, 1909.

Patented Sept. 6, 1910. sel-iai No. 512,741.

the toe cap. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view through the outerend of a slightly modified form of pedal. Fig. 8 is a sectional viewthrough a slightly modified form of cap adapted to lit into the pedalshown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view through anotherslightly modified form of the invention, showing the clamping pin. Fig.10 is a section similar to Fig. 9, except through a slightly modifiedform of cap and end of pedal. Fig. 11 is a section through the cap shownin Fig. 10, before the same has been expanded. Fig. 12 is a stillfurther modilied form of the invention showing the cap having a stemdesigned to spring together. Fig. 13 is a transverse section through thestructure shown in Fig. 12, approximately on line 13-13. Fig. 14 is asectional view similar to Fig. 10, but of a slightly modified form ofthe invention, wherein cap securing means pass through the pedal and areconnected to the cap above the pedal.

In forming a pedal and cap according to the present invention, the pedalmay be made of any desired contour, provided with an aperture preferablytapering at the outer end, into which is fitted a bifurcated lug orprojection of the cap, which covers the outer end of the pedal. Thebifurcated extension or lug on the cap is made from springy material, soas to afford friction between the same and the pedal when the cap hasbeen placed in position with the lug or extension in t-he aperture inthe pedal. This is designed to prevent the accidental removal and tohold the cap correctly in position. The cap is also formed with a slotdesigned to receive a lug or extension from the pedal for prevent-ingany rotation of the pedal, and for assisting in firmly holding the toecap in position. If desired the aperture in the end of the pedal may beformed with one or more annular grooves and the cap may be madeaccordingly with a number of annular ridges for fitting' into theannular grooves, the springy nature of the lug or bifurcated extensionof the cap permitting the annular ridges to engage properly the annulargrooves, and thus normally prevent the removal of the cap.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodimentof the same is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which 1 indicatesa pedal of any desired contour having an aperture 2 formed therein,which is preferably flared from the top of the pedal downward. Aperture2 is designed to extend through a lug or extension 3 of pedal 1 so as toform an ample bearing surface for a bifurcated lug or eX- tension 5projecting from cap 6. The lug or extension 5 is preferably formedintegral with cap G and is made of some springy material, so as tosnugly fit or engage the sides of the aperture 2. The end of pedal 1 isformed with a lug or extension 7 which is designed to fit into a slot ornotch 8 of cap 6. This will prevent any rotary movement of the cap whenin use.` The bifurcated projectionY 5 may be forced into the small 4endof opening 2, and will gradually spread as the same is forced downward.Then it is desired to remove the cap the same may be forced upwardagainstthe action of the bifurcated extension 5.

In Figs. 7 and 8 will be seen a slightly modified form of the inventionin which a pedal 1 is shown as provided with an aperture 2 fiared fromthe top down, and extending through a lug 3. The aperture 2 is formedwith a plurality of annular grooves 9 for receiving annular beads orridges 10 on the bifurcated projection 5 of cap 6. The bifurcatedprojection 5 is of a springy nature so that the same may be forced intoaperture 2 and the beads or ridges 10 caused to lit into the annulargrooves 9. A lug 7 is provided for engaging a notch or slot 8 in cap 6.

In constructing the toe caps 6 and 6 and their lugs or projections 5 and5 the same are made of material of a springy nature, but aresufficiently stiff to require a considerable force pressing against thebottom of the end of the same to force the cap out of contact with thepedal. As will be evident the toe cap covers the end of the pedal at theplace where the same is adapted to wear. By the construction set forththe cap may be easily removed without the use of screws or the like, andanother cap substituted at a very small cost. The ringed or bea-dedconstruction shown in Figs. 7 and 8 has substantially the effect of athreaded connection, and also has the addition of the use of the lug 7and slot 8. 1f desired the lug or extension on the cap could bethreaded, and also the pedal or aperture in the pedal could be threaded,and the cap screwed in place. lf the lug or extension on the cap wasthreaded into place the lug 7 would be removed, so as to permit the capto firmly engage the upper surface of the pedal.

1n Fig. 9 will be seen a slightly modified form of cap secured to apedal 11. Pedal 11 is formed with a downward project-ion 12 providedwith an aperture passing therethrough for accommodating a stem 13 of cap14. The stem 13 is provided with a conical recess 15, preferablycircular in cross section. A clamping member, as screw 16, is threadedinto extension 12 and is formed with a conical end 17 designed to engagethe conical walls of recess 15 when screwed into place, so as to tightlyclamp cap 14 against pedal 11.

In Figs. 10 and 11 will be seen a still further modified form of theinvention, in which a cap 18 is secured to pedal 1. Pedal 1 is formedwith an extension 19 having an aperture 2O formed therein foraccommodating stem 21 of cap 18. Stem 21 is made any desired size, andhas formed on the lower end thereof an annular bead or ridge 22. Afterthe stem has been made the desired size and the .bead 22 formed thereonthe same is split longitudinally, as shown in Fig. 11. The stem is thenforced open, and

as the material of which the cap is made is of springy consistency thebifurcated portions of the stem 21 will remain open so that when thesame is forced temporarily partially closed at the end when the cap isbeing placed in position they will again automatically spring apart, andtake the position shown in Fig. 10, for causing the flange 22 to engagethe lower surface of projection 19. rihis will prevent the accidentalremoval of the cap. lVhen it is desired to remove the cap, all that isnecessary is to force the lower ends thereof sufficiently close togetherfor permitting fiange or bead 22 to enter opening 20, and then pullupward on the cap. By this construction and arrangement the cap may bequickly and easily placed in position, and then removed without the useof tools, and yet the cap present all the advantages of caps rigidlyheld in place by more or less complicated means.

In Figs. 12 and 13 another modified form of the invention is shown, inwhich a cap 23 is mounted upon pedal 24, having extension 25, throughwhich is formed an aperture 26. Extension 25 is provided with a pin orbolt 27 which is preferably removably secured in position by means ofthreads. The aperture 2G is preferably slightly tapered in order thatthe stem 28, which is bifurcated, may spring apart and move past pin orbolt 27 until the notched portions 29-29 come opposite pin or bolt 27.When the notched portions 29- 29 come opposite pin 27 the bifurcatedportion of stem 28 will spring together, and grip pin or bolt 27, forpreventing accidental removal of cap 23.

In Fig. 14 will be observed aY form of cap 37 which is formed with aninteriorly threaded bore 30 for receiving a binding screw or bolt 31.The binding screw or bolt 31 may be formed with a squared head 32 orwith any desired shaped head with a kerf formed therein. Bolt 31 isdesigned to snugly fit bore 33 in pedal 34 but is permitted a freemovement therein when apply- -ng and removing the toe cap 37. When it isdesired to place the toe cap 37 in position the same is placed uponpedal 34 with bore 30 above bore 33, and then bolt 3l inserted andscrewed into place until cap 37 has been clamped tightly against thepedal. Cap 37 is preferably formed with a cut-out portion 35 forengaging the raised portion or lug 36, so as to prevent any turning' ofthe cap.

Wha-t we claim is:

l. In a device of the character described, the combination with a pedalhaving an aperture therein, of a toe cap formed with a stem providedwith a recess having Hared walls, and a clamping screw arranged toengage part of said flared walls for drawing said toe cap against saidpedal.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a pedalhaving an aperture therein and a lug extending therefrom, of a toe caphaving a recess portion fitting over said lug, whereby said toe cap isprevented from rotating, and a shank eX- tending through said aperture,and means independent of the cap at the lower end of said shank forpreventing accidental removal of the cap.

- 3. In a device of the character described, the combination with apedal having an aperture therein, of a toe cap formed with a stemdesigned to fit into said aperture, and means independent of said stemand engaging' the same for locking said cap against said pedal and fordrawing the under surface of said cap against said pedal.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a pedalhaving an aperture therein, of a toe cap formed with a stem adapted to tinto said aperture, said stem being formed with a recess having flaringwalls, and a set screw formed with a tapering end for engaging part ofthe flaring walls of said recess, whereby said cap is held clamped tosaid pedal.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a pedalhaving an aperture therein with a projection extending therefrom, of atoe cap formed with a recess portion for fitting over said projection,whereby said toe cap is prevented from rotating, said toe cap being alsoformed with a stem designed to t into said aperture, and meansindependent of said stem and said pedal but arranged to engage said stemfor locking said cap to said pedal and at the same time causing said capto press against said pedal.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a pedalhaving an aperture therein, of a toe cap therefor formed with a stemdesigned to project through said aperture, said toe cap being formedwith a notch, and said pedal being formed with a lug projectingtherefrom for engaging said notch for preventing a rotary movement ofsaid cap, and a set screw mounted in said pedal and engaging said stemfor clamping said toe cap to said pedal.

In testimony whereof we aiiiX our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

ALBERT F. N ORRIS. CLIFTON H. NORRIS.

Vitnesses ALBERT L. VYMAN, MICHAEL GOODMAN.

